Purple State by Dana Perino: Book Review, Summary & My Thoughts
Purple State by Dana Perino is a charming and surprisingly heartfelt romantic comedy that blends politics, friendship, romance, and self-discovery. Set largely in a small Wisconsin town during a presidential campaign, the story manages to explore political differences without becoming overly heavy or divisive.
Instead, Purple State is ultimately a story about connection, community, and what can happen when we get to know people beyond our assumptions about them.
If you enjoy contemporary romance, strong female friendships, small-town settings, and stories with a little more to say beneath the surface, Purple State is an easy and enjoyable read.
Purple State Summary
Purple State follows Dot Clark, a public relations professional from New York City who travels to a small Wisconsin town to work on a presidential campaign. She is joined by two friends, and the three women quickly discover that life in a small Midwestern community looks very different from the world they are used to.
For Dot, the experience begins to challenge some of the assumptions she has carried with her from New York. The people she meets don’t always fit neatly into the categories she expects, and relationships begin forming across political and cultural differences.
That becomes especially interesting when romance enters the picture.
Dot finds herself unexpectedly drawn to someone whose background and political perspective are very different from her own. Their relationship adds plenty of warmth and humor to the story while also reinforcing one of the book’s biggest themes: people can have meaningful connections even when they don’t agree on everything.
My Review of Purple State by Dana Perino
What I enjoyed most about Purple State was how approachable it felt.
A romantic comedy built around a presidential campaign could easily become overly political, but the story never felt like it was trying to lecture the reader. The political setting provides the backdrop, while the relationships between the characters remain the real focus.
The book has an easy, conversational style that makes it feel like a cozy read despite the campaign storyline.
I also liked watching Dot’s perspective gradually change as she spends more time in Wisconsin. Rather than presenting people as simply “red” or “blue,” the story focuses on what happens when characters actually talk to one another, form friendships, and begin seeing each other as individuals.
The romance works nicely within that theme. It brings a lighthearted element to the story while giving Dot another reason to question some of her expectations.
What I Liked About Purple State
The small-town setting was one of my favorite parts of the book. There’s something naturally cozy about taking characters out of their familiar big-city environment and placing them in a community where life moves a little differently.
I also enjoyed the friendships between the women. Their relationships give the story another layer beyond the central romance and help keep it from feeling like a straightforward political love story.
Most of all, though, I appreciated the book’s emphasis on listening and finding common ground.
Purple State recognizes that people can have very different opinions and experiences without making those differences the only thing that defines them. That gives an otherwise light romantic comedy a little more depth.
Is Purple State a Political Book?
Politics are an important part of the setting, but I wouldn’t describe Purple State as a heavy political novel.
The presidential campaign brings characters with different viewpoints together and creates much of the conflict, but the story is much more interested in relationships than political arguments.
At its heart, this is a romantic comedy about friendship, love, community, and reconsidering the assumptions we make about other people.
Readers who normally avoid political books may still enjoy this one, especially if they like character-driven contemporary romance.
Who Should Read Purple State?
I’d recommend Purple State if you enjoy:
- Contemporary romantic comedies
- Small-town romance
- Strong female friendships
- Fish-out-of-water stories
- Books about finding common ground
- Lighthearted stories with meaningful themes
- Romance between people from very different backgrounds
It’s especially suited to readers looking for something entertaining and comforting that still gives them a little something to think about after they finish.
Final Thoughts on Purple State
Reading Purple State felt like settling into a comforting small-town story with a modern twist.
The romance and political backdrop make the premise interesting, but the heart of the book is its message about connection. It’s a reminder that people are often more complicated than the labels we give them and that real relationships can challenge the assumptions we bring into them.
It’s lighthearted without feeling empty and thoughtful without becoming too serious.
If you enjoy romantic comedies with strong friendships, small-town charm, and a little deeper heart beneath the surface, Purple State is a cozy book worth adding to your reading list.
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